Sacroiliac belt and composite structure

ABSTRACT

A sacroiliac belt with a non-elastic inner belt to wrap around the user&#39;s hips and an elastic outer belt to wrap from the back to opposite sides of the inner belt. Non-cinchable hook and loop fastener construction is used to secure the inner and outer belts in position. The inner belt includes an inside elastomeric foam layer with open-cell frictional gripping surface, a non-elastic outside layer of loop material, and a hook tab for engaging the loop material to close the belt. The inner belt may be established with a non-elastic composite foam-fabric structure comprising a bi-laminate of the foam and elastic fabric, and a strip of loop material secured lengthwise onto the fabric side of the bi-laminate. The outer belt includes an elastic strip and hook tabs for connecting to the strip of loop material. The non-elastic composite foam-fabric may be used in other orthopedic braces and supports.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/278,632, filed Apr. 4, 2006, whichapplication is incorporated herein be reference.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a sacroiliac belt having a lengthwisenon-elastic inner belt for snugly encircling the user's hips and alengthwise elastic outer belt secured between the back and sides of theinner belt to establish elastic compression on the sacroiliac joint. Theinvention also relates to a lengthwise non-elastic foam-fabric compositestructure for use in sacroiliac belts and other non-elastic orthopedicbraces and supports for wrapping around a part of the body.

2. Background Art

A sacroiliac belt is worn around the upper hips, to exert a compressiveforce around the pelvic girdle, and stabilize and reduce strain in thesacroiliac joint. The technical literature provides details on theplacement of sacroiliac belts, and medical, physiological, anatomicaland other considerations concerning sacroiliac belts. Therefore,although these considerations are discussed briefly as backgroundinformation concerning the invention, it will be understood that thepractitioner will have or readily obtain a more complete understandingof such aspects and considerations concerning sacroiliac belts from theliterature.

One type of sacroiliac belt disclosed in the art includes an elasticinner part that wraps around the user's hips and a non-elastic outerpart that encircles the inner part to establish an overall non-elasticsacroiliac belt. Brunswick, U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,167 discloses asacroiliac belt of this type, with elastic panels and a non-elasticcinch strap encircling the panels. Another sacroiliac belt of this typeincludes elastic Neoprene to wrap around the user's hips and non-elasticNylon to wrap around the Neoprene. This sacroiliac belt is notrecommended for wearing directly against the skin because theclosed-cell structure of Neoprene causes heat build-up which can lead toskin irritation. The overall non-elastic nature of such sacroiliac beltsis also not preferred by many practitioners because the outer encirclingpart typically includes a cinchable fastener arrangement, such as abuckle or cinch, that allows a person additional leverage so that it ispossible to pull the sacroiliac belt tighter than it should be. As aresult, the overall non-elastic sacroiliac belt of this type can reduceavailable motion in the sacroiliac joint below its normal range ofmotion. With reduced motion, the inflow of nutrients and oxygen isreduced and the outflow of cellular waste products is reduced. Thesewaste products are acidic, which lowers the pH within the joint. Thebody then shunts in calcium to neutralize the acid and arthrosis candevelop. Buckles and other fastener arrangements used in such belts canalso pinch and be otherwise inconvenient or irritating to the user.

Variations on the overall non-elastic sacroiliac belt with an encirclingouter belt are also known in the art. For example, Hyman et al., U.S.Pat. No. 4,576,154 discloses a sacroiliac belt with an inner non-elasticwoven belt and small cinch straps securable between the ends of theinner belt. Tyo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,291 provides a sacroiliac belt withstring lacing to secure rigid plastic support members in position.Sacroiliac belts of this type can also be overtightened by the user, andproviding optimum support for pelvic girdle considerations that varyfrom one individual to another in belts using non-flexible elements(such as in Tyo) presents additional difficulties.

Another type of prior sacroiliac belt is generally elastic, which allowsgood compression of the sacroiliac joint. The elastic sacroiliac beltwill not typically compress too much, to the point of limiting motion ofthe sacroiliac joint below normal. However, an overall elasticsacroiliac belt gives a false sense of security to the user because theactions that open the sacroiliac joint, i.e., bending, lifting, andtwisting, can force the joint open beyond its normal range of motioneven with the sacroiliac belt in place. In other words, sacroiliacelastic belts do not create a stop point at the end of the normal rangeof motion of the sacroiliac joint. As ligaments are essentiallynon-elastic, movement of the sacroiliac joint beyond its normal rangewill stress the ligaments and potentially re-injure the joint.

Another sacroiliac belt includes an inner belt of non-elastic wovencotton and an outer elastic belt. The inner belt is secured around theuser's hips with a hook and loop fastener or other non-cinchablefastener to establish a non-elastic belt that mimics the function of thesacroiliac ligaments in the sense that non-elastic belt allows thesacroiliac joint to open to the end of its normal range of motion andstop further opening of the joint. The outer belt is elastically securedbetween the back and sides of the inner belt, partially encircling innerbelt, to provide the user with a sense of elasticity within the normalrange of motion of the sacroiliac joint. Hand tightening this sacroiliacbelt creates sufficient tension to compress the soft tissues so that thesacroiliac belt can create the correct stop point at the normal end ofrange of sacroiliac joint motion, but this sacroiliac belt cannot betightened too much as to restrict sacroiliac joint motion below itsnormal range of motion.

A problem with all prior sacroiliac belts is that there is no convenientor comfortable way to attach it to conventional clothing, and due to theinward curvature of the upper part of the hips, the sacroiliac belt canslide up as the user moves around. It is possible to mechanically securethe sacroiliac belt, such as looping a cord or other material from thesacroiliac belt, under the hips, between the legs, and then back up tothe sacroiliac belt on the other side of the body; but such arrangementsare uncomfortable and inconvenient for the user. Some sacroiliac beltsuse side patches of open-weave material with rubberized or softpolyvinyl chloride (PVC) composition coating (such as sold under thetrademark “GRIPTEX”) on the inside of the belt for the suggested purposeof assisting in holding the belt in position. Such patches rely ondevelopment of a tackiness or rubber-type surface friction component forgripping purposes with the belt snug around the user. However, inpractice, such patches do not exhibit sufficient gripping to hold thesacroiliac belt in position under many conditions or over many materialsof clothing. Coating of the weave material results in a relativelysmooth surface characteristic which, although somewhat tacky when dry,becomes slippery when wet. Consequently, such patches contribute verylittle gripping when the belt is worn directly against the skin due tolikely presence of small amounts of sweat. The composition of thecoating can also be irritating to some people if the sacroiliac belt isworn against the skin.

Thus, there is a need for a sacroiliac belt that addresses theabove-identified disadvantages and drawbacks of prior sacroiliac belts.In particular, there is a need for a sacroiliac belt that providescontrolled support with limited elasticity within the normal range ofmotion of the sacroiliac joint, but that can be worn directly againstthe skin without causing irritation to the user and that remains inplace while the user moves around regardless of whether worn against theskin or over clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An important objective of the invention is to provide a new and improvedsacroiliac belt configured to establish controlled support with limitedelasticity, wherein, the sacroiliac belt comprises a non-elastic innerbelt to be wrapped snugly around the user's hips and an elastic outerbelt to be secured between the back and sides of the inner belt.

A detailed objective of the invention is to achieve the foregoing in asacroiliac belt having an inner belt comprising a bi-laminate with aninside layer of open cell elastomeric rubber or plastic composition foamhaving an open cell frictional surface characteristic for grippingengagement encircling the user's hips, and loop material (of a hook andloop fastener arrangement) along the outside length for securing theinner belt around the user's hips and securing the outer belt to theinner belt utilizing hook tabs (of a hook and loop fastener arrangement)secured to applicable ends thereof.

A more detailed objective of the invention is to achieve the foregoingin a sacroiliac belt having an inner belt comprising an elasticbi-laminate with said layer of foam laminated to elastic fabric, and anon-elastic strip of loop material secured to the fabric side of thebi-laminate along the length thereof.

Another more detailed objective of the invention is to achieve theforegoing in a sacroiliac belt having an inner belt comprising abi-laminate with said layer of foam laminated to non-elastic fabric,preferably loop-material fabric (i.e., fabric with loops of a hook andloop fastener arrangement).

Another important objective of the invention is to provide a new andimproved non-elastic foam-fabric composite comprising an elasticbi-laminate with a layer of open cell elastomeric composition foamhaving an open cell frictional surface characteristic laminated toelastic fabric, and a non-elastic strip of loop material secured to thefabric side of the bi-laminate along the length thereof.

These and other objectives and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

A sacroiliac belt in accordance with the invention includes anon-elastic inner belt and an elastic outer belt. The inner belt issized in length to wrap around the user's hips. The outer belt is sizedin length to wrap from the back and engage opposite sides of the innerbelt. The preferred sacroiliac belt utilizes hook and loop fasteners ina non-cinchable arrangement (or other non-cinchable fasteners), tosecure the inner belt snugly around the user and the outer belt inelastic compression partially encircling the inner belt.

The inner belt includes an inside layer of elastomeric foam and anoutside layer or strip of lengthwise non-elastic loop material. The loopmaterial provides the “loop” surface of a hook and loop fastenerarrangement. A hook tab, providing the “hook” surface of a hook and loopfastener arrangement, is secured at one end of the inner belt forengaging the loop material proximate the other end of the inner beltwhen the inner belt is wrapped around the user's hips. Hook tabs arealso provided for securing the elastic outer belt to the inner belt.

The foam is an elastomeric composition, open-cell foam. The open-cellnature of the foam results in many tiny, soft “edges” at the boundariesof the open cells that develop a relatively high coefficient offriction, or frictional surface characteristic, that maintains thesacroiliac belt in position when wrapped snugly around the user's hips.Advantageously, this surface frictional component is substantiallyunaffected by the presence of limited sweat and other moisture as maydevelop if the belt is worn directly against the skin. The foam is alsobreathable and preferably hypoallergenic, and provides positive moisturewicking characteristics, to carry moisture away from the skin, so thesacroiliac belt can be worn directly against the skin, if desired,without heat or moisture buildup or causing skin irritation. Theopen-cell elastomeric composition foam may be made from urethane-basedcomposition, acrylic-based composition, or other rubber or plasticcomposition meeting the objectives of the invention as described herein.

In one preferred embodiment, the inner belt is a lengthwise non-elasticfoam-fabric composite established with an elastic bi-laminate comprisingthe foam layer coated onto or bonded, adhered or otherwise laminated tostretchable or elasticized fabric. In this embodiment, the inner beltfurther includes a strip of loop material comprising loops secured to athin non-elastic nylon or similar backing that is sewn, bonded, adheredor otherwise firmly secured onto the fabric side of the bi-laminateextending along the length thereof. The full-length non-elastic strip ofloop material transforms the elastic bi-laminate into the lengthwisenon-elastic inner belt of the sacroiliac belt. The inner belt mayfurther include a strip or width of cushion extending over the upper andlower edges of the strip of loop material, to cushion against the edgesof the backing strip from digging into the wearer, particularly when thesacroiliac belt is worn directly against the skin. These strips orwidths of cushion may be provided by extending the width of the elasticbi-laminate past the edges of the strip of loop material.

In an alternate embodiment, the inner belt is established with anon-elastic bi-laminate comprising the foam layer laminated tolengthwise non-elastic loop fabric that provides the outside loopelement of the hook and loop fastener arrangement in the sacroiliacbelt.

The invention also contemplates use of the lengthwise non-elasticfoam-fabric composite described above in other types of orthopedicbraces and supports of the type that include a non-elastic belt, band,body portion or other non-elastic layer for wrapping around a part ofthe body for compression, protection, support or other orthopedicpurposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sacroiliac belt in accordance with theinvention, the sacroiliac belt being shown in a closed condition aswould be worn by a user; the sacroiliac belt having a non-elastic innerbelt and an elastic outer belt, the inner belt comprising an insidefoam-fabric bi-laminate secured to an outside strip of loop material.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sacroiliac belt shown in FIG. 1, butshowing the inner belt open and the ends of the outer belt detached fromthe inner belt.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sacroiliac belt shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4A, but with the outerbelt not shown, and with the upper and lower widths of the foam-fabricbi-laminate curved over (as may naturally occur when the sacroiliac beltis worn) to establish a lengthwise cushion over and under the upper andlower edges, respectively, of the strip of loop material.

FIG. 5 is a view of the inside of the sacroiliac belt shown in FIG. 1 aslaid flat.

FIG. 6 is a view of the outside of the inner belt shown in FIG. 1 aslaid flat (i.e., the outside of the sacroiliac belt shown in FIG. 1 aslaid flat with the outer belt not shown).

FIG. 7 is a view of the outside of the sacroiliac belt shown in FIG. 1as laid flat, with one end of the outer belt peeled away from the innerbelt and turned up for viewing the inside details thereof.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the sacroiliac belt shown in FIG. 1 as laidflat, the bottom view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 9 is perspective view of the sacroiliac belt shown in FIG. 1 aspositioned on the hips (shown in dashed lines) of a user.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate sacroiliac beltin accordance with the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the alternate sacroiliac belt shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second alternate sacroiliac belt inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an orthopedic band utilizing alengthwise non-elastic foam-fabric composite in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternate orthopedic band utilizinga lengthwise non-elastic foam-fabric composite in accordance with theinvention.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments have beenshown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, there is shown a preferred embodimentsacroiliac belt 10 in accordance with the invention. The sacroiliac belt10 comprises two independently operable belt elements: a lengthwiseelastic outer belt 12 and a lengthwise non-elastic inner belt 14. Theinner belt 14 is sized in length to wrap around the user's hips (FIG.9). The outer belt 12 is sized in length to wrap from the back of theuser and engage opposite sides of the inner belt. Hook and loopfasteners in non-cinchable arrangements secure the inner and outer beltsin position.

The inner belt 14 includes an inside elastic bi-laminate 16 and anoutside non-elastic strip 22 of loop material (of hook and loop fastenerconstruction). A hook tab 24 (of hook and loop fastener construction) issecured at one end of the inner belt 14, with the hooks facing inwardlyfor connecting to the outwardly facing loops of the strip 22 when theinner belt is wrapped around the user or otherwise in a closed condition(FIG. 1). In the embodiment shown, an optional cloth cap 16A is sewnover one end of the bi-laminate and strip of loop material. Stitching isindicated by dashed lines and reference numeral 30.

The elastic bi-laminate 16 is comprised of an elastic foam layer 18bonded, adhered or otherwise laminated to an elastic fabric 20 thatextends the length and width of the foam layer. The foam is anelastomeric rubber or plastic composition, open cell foam such as madefrom urethane-based, acrylic-based or other suitable polymers. Theopen-cell nature of the foam establishes a large number of soft tinyedges at the boundaries of the cells, resulting in a relatively highcoefficient of friction or frictional surface characteristic on thesurface 18A along the inside length of the inner belt 14, therebyresulting in frictional encircling engagement around the user's hips,and maintaining the inner belt in position during normal use. Theopen-cell foam is also breathable and provides positive moisture wickingto carry moisture away from the skin so that the sacroiliac belt can becomfortably worn against the skin. The elastic fabric is preferablyunbroken loop fabric having loop construction of a hook and loopfastener arrangement on its exposed side, but the fabric may be ofalternate construction.

The strip 22 of loop material includes an outer layer 22A (FIG. 4A) ofloops (of hook and loop fastener construction) on a thin nylon or othernon-elastic backing 22B that extends to establish the loop element of ahook and loop fastener along the outside length of the inner belt 14.The non-elastic strip of loop material runs the length of thebi-laminate 16, with the backing 22B sewn, adhered or otherwise securedlengthwise to the exposed fabric side of the bi-laminate, therebyestablishing the overall lengthwise non-elastic characteristic of innerbelt 14. In this instance, the hook tab 24 is sewn to the inside of thestrip 22 at an end that extends past the bi-laminate.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the elastic bi-laminate 16 extendswidthwise beyond the backing strip 22B. As shown in FIG. 4B, thisadditional bi-laminate width is capable of stretching, folding, rolling,etc. over the lengthwise edges of the backing 22B to establishlengthwise cushions over the edges of the loop material backing stripwhile the sacroiliac belt is worn. The preferred loops 22A in the strip22 of loop material are substantially larger than the size of loop inthe unbroken loop fabric of the bi-laminate for enhanced holdingstrength while the sacroiliac belt 10 is in position on the user.Advantageously, the additional width of unbroken loop fabric providesadditional connection width for the hook tab 24 if not precisely alignedwith the strip 22 of loop material.

The outer elastic belt 12 comprises a strip 26 of elastic fabric and apair of hook tabs 28 at the ends of the elastic strip. The elastic stripis approximately one-half the length of the inner belt 14, and is sewnor otherwise secured (or securable) at the back of the inner belt toestablish two outer elastic halves each of which terminate proximate thesides of the inner belt. The hook tabs 28 are sewn or otherwise securedto the ends of the elastic strip, facing inwardly towards the inner beltand the strip 22 of loop material. Alternately, for example, a thirdhook tab 28 may be sewn to the center of the elastic strip 26 forreleasable connection to the strip 22 of loop material at the back ofthe inner belt.

With this arrangement, the sacroiliac belt 10 is put on by wrapping thenon-elastic inner belt 14 snugly around the user's hips, as indicated byarrow “A” in FIG. 9, and securing the hook tab 24 into engagement withthe strip 22 of loop material on the other side of the belt. The elastichalves of the outer belt 12 are then drawn firmly from the back aroundto the sides of the wearer's hips, as indicated by arrows “B” in FIG. 9,until comfortable compression is established in the sacroiliac joint,and secured with the hook tabs 28 engaging the loop material 22 at thesides of the inner belt 14.

Referring to FIGS. 10-11, an alternate embodiment sacroiliac belt 110 inaccordance with the invention is shown, wherein the same referencenumbers identify identical elements shown in FIGS. 1-9 and describedabove, and reference numbers for similar elements are incremented by100. The sacroiliac belt 110 comprises two independently operable beltelements: the non-elastic inner belt 14 described above, and an outerbelt comprising two elastic outer-belt segments 112A and 112B. Eachouter-belt segment 112A, 112B includes a strip 126 of elastic fabric anda pair of hook tabs 128. Each elastic strip 126 is approximatelyone-fourth the length of the inner belt 14, with a hook tabs 128 sewn orotherwise secured to each end of the elastic strip positionable facinginwardly towards the inner belt 14 and the strip 22 of loop material.The outer-belt segments 112A, 112B are, together, structurally andoperatively similar to outer belt 12 described above. Thus, thesacroiliac belt 110 is put on and worn similar to sacroiliac belt 10described above, except that the outer-belt segments 112A and 112B areindependently securable to the strip of loop material on the outside ofthe inner belt, for independent connection between the back and sides ofthe inner belt, or as otherwise desired to draw the inner belt intoelastic limited compression around the user's hips.

A second alternate embodiment sacroiliac belt 210, in accordance withthe invention, is shown in FIG. 12, wherein the same reference numbersidentify identical elements shown in FIGS. 1-9 and described above, andreference numbers for similar elements are incremented by 200. Thesacroiliac belt 210 comprises two independently operable belt elements:a non-elastic inner belt 214 sized in length to wrap around the wearer'ships, and the elastic outer belt 12 discussed above. The inner belt 214includes a non-elastic bi-laminate comprised of an elastic foam layer218 bonded, adhered or otherwise laminated to non-elastic unbroken loopfabric 220 that extends the length and width of the foam layer, the loopfabric 220A providing the loop element of hook and loop fastenerconstruction along the outside length of the inner belt 214. The foam iselastomeric composition as described above to establish an open cellfrictional gripping surface 218A with positive moisture wicking alongthe inside length of the inner belt 214 for encircling engagement aroundthe user's hips. A hook tab 224 is secured at one end of the inner belt214 for connecting with the outside loop surface 220A of the bi-laminatewhen the inner belt is wrapped around the user.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the non-elasticfoam-fabric composite described above can be used in other types oforthopedic braces and supports that require a non-elastic belt, band,strip, body portion or other non-elastic layer for wrapping around apart of the body, such as, for example, elbow braces and knee braces.Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown an orthopedic band 40 comprising anon-elastic foam-fabric composite with an inside elastic bi-laminate 42sized in length to wrap around a part of a user's body, and anon-elastic strip 48 of loop material sewn or otherwise securedlengthwise onto the fabric side of the bi-laminate. The elasticbi-laminate is comprised of an elastic foam layer 44 bonded, adhered orotherwise laminated to elastic fabric 46 that extends the length andwidth of the foam layer. The foam is of open cell elastomericcomposition as described above to establish a frictional gripping,breathable inside surface 42A with positive moisture wicking forencircling engagement around the user. The elastic fabric is preferablyunbroken loop fabric.

The strip 48 of loop material includes an outer layer 48A of loops on athin nylon or other non-elastic backing 48B (as shown in detail in FIG.4A in connection with belt 10) that extends to establish the loopelement of a hook and loop fastener along the outside length of thebi-laminate 42. The non-elastic strip of loop material runs the lengthof the bi-laminate, with the backing 48B sewn, adhered or otherwisesecured lengthwise to the exposed fabric side of the bi-laminate,thereby establishing the overall lengthwise non-elastic characteristicof band 40. The bi-laminate 42 shown is wider than the strip 48 of loopmaterial to establish a cushion over the edges thereof. A hook tab 52 issecured at one end of the strip of loop material, facing oppositely ofthe exposed loop fabric 48A. With this arrangement, the compositenon-elastic band 40 is used by wrapping snugly around a part of theuser's body, and securing the hook tab 52 at one end of band intoengagement with the loop material 48A on the opposite end of the band.

Alternately, for example, a non-elastic foam-fabric composite inaccordance with the invention may be used in an orthopedic band 60 suchas shown in FIG. 14 with a cinchable fastener arrangement. The band 60comprises an inside elastic bi-laminate 62 sized in length to wraparound a part of a user's body, and a non-elastic strip 68 of loopmaterial sewn or otherwise secured lengthwise onto the fabric side ofthe bi-laminate. The elastic bi-laminate is comprised of an elastic foamlayer 64 bonded, adhered or otherwise laminated to elastic fabric 66that extends the length and width of the foam layer. The foam is ofelastomeric composition as described above to establish a breathable,open cell frictional inside gripping surface 62A with positive moisturewicking for encircling engagement around the user. The strip of loopmaterial includes an outer layer 68A of loops on a thin nylon or othernon-elastic backing 68B (as shown in detail in FIG. 4A in connectionwith belt 10) that extends to establish the loop element of a hook andloop fastener along the outside length of the bi-laminate. Thenon-elastic strip of loop material runs the length of the bi-laminate,with the backing 48B sewn, adhered or otherwise secured lengthwise tothe exposed fabric side of the bi-laminate, thereby establishing theoverall lengthwise non-elastic characteristic of band 60. In thisembodiment, a hook tab 72 is secured at one end of the band facing thesame direction as the loop material, and a ring 74 is secured to theopposite end of the band such that the hook tab and a length of the bandcan slip through the ring and fold back for connecting the hook tab tothe loop material proximate that end of the band as shown in FIG. 14.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventionbrings to the art a unique sacroiliac belt and orthopedic non-elasticfoam-fabric composite with a bi-laminate having a elastomericcomposition foam with open-cell frictional gripping and positivemoisture wicking characteristic that can be placed directly on the skin,if desired, and that remains in place while the user moves around.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A non-elastic foam-fabric composite bandfor use in orthopedic braces and supports comprising: a) a first layerof an elastic bi-laminate comprising an inside elastic foam layer and anelastic fabric layer, the elastic foam layer extending the length andwidth of the elastic fabric layer and being laminated thereto, theelastic foam layer having an open-cell frictional gripping surface andpositive moisture wicking characteristic; b) a second layer of unbrokenloop material extending the length of the elastic bi-laminate, thesecond layer of unbroken loop material comprising a non-elastic striphaving an outer layer of loops on a non-elastic backing layer, thenon-elastic backing layer being secured against the elastic fabric layerof the elastic bi-laminate opposite the elastic foam layer along thelength thereof, the elastic foam layer and elastic fabric layer beingrendered lengthwise non-stretchable along their entire secured lengthsby the second layer of unbroken loop material secured thereto; and c) ahook and loop fastener construction comprising a loop element formed bythe second layer of unbroken loop material and a hook tab securedproximate one end of the second layer of unbroken loop material forsecuring the hook tab to the outer layer of loops.
 2. The composite bandas defined in claim 1 in which the hook tab is positioned for connectingto the second layer of unbroken loop material in a non-cinchablefastening arrangement.
 3. The composite band as defined in claim 1 inwhich the first layer extends widthwise beyond the second layer ofunbroken loop material to establish an elastic lengthwise cushion overthe edges of the strip of non-stretchable loop material.
 4. Thecomposite band as defined in claim 1 further comprising a ring securedproximate the end of the loop material opposite the hook tab, and inwhich the hook tab is sized to be slipped through the ring and securedto the loop material.
 5. A method for manufacturing a non-elasticfoam-fabric composite band for use in orthopedic braces and supports,the composite band comprising a first layer of an elastic bi-laminateand a second layer of non-elastic strip of unbroken loop material, thesecond layer of non-elastic strip of unbroken loop material comprising anon-elastic strip having an outer layer of loops on a backing layer, thesecond layer of non-elastic strip of unbroken loop material secured tothe first layer, the method comprising: a) providing i) an elasticbi-laminate comprising: a) an elastic foam layer having an open-cellfrictional gripping surface and positive moisture wickingcharacteristic, and b) an elastic fabric layer laminated to andextending the length and width of the elastic foam layer; ii) a layer ofnon-elastic strip of unbroken loop material comprising a non-elasticstrip having an outer layer of loops on a non-elastic backing layer; andiii) a hook tab; and b) securing: i) the layer of non-elastic strip ofunbroken loop material to the elastic fabric layer of the bi-laminatealong the length thereof with the non-elastic backing layer against theelastic fabric layer, thereby rendering the bi-laminate lengthwisenon-elastic along its length by the layer of non-elastic strip ofunbroken loop material secured thereto, and ii) the hook tab proximateone end of the layer of non-elastic strip of unbroken loop material. 6.The method as defined in claim 5 further comprising providing andsecuring a ring proximate an end of the layer of non-elastic strip ofunbroken loop material opposite the end proximate the hook tab, the hooktab being sized to be slipped through the ring and secured to the stripof loop material.
 7. The method as defined in claim 5 in which the hooktab is positioned for connecting to the non-elastic strip of unbrokenloop material in a non-cinchable fastening arrangement.
 8. A sacroiliacbelt comprising: a) a non-elastic inner belt configured for encirclingplacement around a user's hips, the inner belt having i) an inside layerof an elastic bi-laminate comprising an elastic foam layer and anelastic fabric layer, the elastic foam layer extending the length andwidth of the elastic fabric layer and being laminated to the elasticfoam layer, the elastic foam layer having an open-cell frictionalgripping surface and positive moisture wicking characteristic, theelastic foam layer extending lengthwise for encircling engagement arounda user's hips; ii) an outer layer of unbroken loop material of hook andloop fastener construction extending in secured relation the length ofthe inside layer of the elastic bi-laminate for encircling placementaround the user's hips, the outer layer of unbroken loop materialcomprising a non-elastic strip having an outer layer of loops on anon-elastic backing layer, the non-elastic backing layer being securedagainst the elastic fabric layer of the elastic bi-laminate opposite theelastic foam layer along the length of the elastic bi-laminate, theelastic foam layer and elastic fabric layer being rendered lengthwisenon-stretchable along their entire secured lengths by the outer layer ofunbroken loop material secured thereto; and iii) a hook tab at one endthereof in fastening engageable relation with the unbroken loop materialwith the inner belt encircling the user's hips; and b) an elastic outerbelt sized to extend forwardly from the back of the inner belt to thesides thereof, the outer belt having hook tabs for connecting to theouter layer of loops of the inner belt.
 9. The sacroiliac belt asdefined in claim 8 wherein the elastic bi-laminate extends widthwisebeyond the edges of the outer layer of unbroken loop material toestablish an elastic lengthwise cushion over the edges of the outerlayer of loop material.
 10. The sacroiliac belt as defined in claim 8 inwhich the hook tabs of the elastic outer belt are positioned forconnecting to the loops of the outer layer of unbroken loop material ina non-cinchable fastening arrangement.
 11. The sacroiliac belt asdefined in claim 8 further comprising a lengthwise elastic cushionextending widthwise beyond the edges of the strip of loop material. 12.The sacroiliac belt as defined in claim 11 in which the elasticbi-laminate extends widthwise beyond the strip of loop material toestablish said lengthwise cushion.
 13. The sacroiliac belt as defined inclaim 8 in which the outer belt comprises an elastic strip extendingfrom side to side around the back of the inner belt.
 14. The sacroiliacbelt as defined in claim 8 in which the outer belt comprises a pair ofelastic strips each independently connectable to the inner belt andsized to extend from proximate the back of the inner belt to respectivesides of the inner belt.